Revelation 7:9-12 (NKJV) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
V9 “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands…” These are believers from all of humanity regardless of language, heritage, or location. They are standing in front of the throne (probably God the Father) and the Lamb (Jesus, God the Son). Clothed in white robes because of their purity with all sins forgiven (Revelation 7:14, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Hebrews 9:14, and 1 John 1:7). Palm branches signify, in my opinion, a sign of joy and triumph (Leviticus 23:40 and Nehemiah 8:15). A comment from Utley in his commentary on this verse: “”palm branches were in their hands” Some try to identify this with Leviticus 23:40 or Nehemiah 8:15 as a sign of joy and triumph. Others relate it to the rituals of the Feast of Passover as in John 12:13 and still others, because this passage is linked to the Wilderness Wandering Period (cf. Revelation 7:15-16), with the Feast of Tabernacles. The palm branches may simply be a symbol of victory.”
V10 “…and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Their message is one of God being the only Savior and Jesus as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Salvation here refers to both eternal salvation from God’s wrath—the Gospel. There is only one Gospel (Galatians 1:7-9).
V11 “All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God…” All present agreed and joined the celebration of praise. Compare Psalm 8, Psalm 40, Psalm 65, Psalm 108, Psalm 145, Psalm 146, and Psalm 150.
V12 “…saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Amen = true and we agree with this. They praise the Almighty who is the ultimate being worthy of blessing (praise), glory (of being, character traits, kingdom, persona, etc.), wisdom (knowledge + understanding + complete experience (perfection) = wisdom), thanksgiving, honor (as being greater, better, in all good things), power (omnipotence in moral attributes and inherent ability), and might (Physical strength, mental or moral power as an endowment (Word Study Dictionary)).
We learn:
- Many people will be saved by faith in the Tribulation.
- All in heaven will praise God.
- To do the same.